HYDERABAD: The High Court has quashed a state government's order permitting the management of a women's college at Proddatur in Kadapa district to sell a portion of the college land.
The verdict has been given on two writ petitions filed by GN Sakunthala, sister of the chairman of the college committee and grandchild of college founder the late Devarasetty Venkatapathi Setty, questioning the government's permission for sale of 11 acres, out of 18.18 acres of land, on which Sri Devarasetty Adi Lakshmamma Degree College for Women is situated.
Pronouncing the judgement, justice Samudrala Govindarajulu said the proposed sale of 11 acres of land would adversely affect working of the existing college and the government's permission was not in accordance with law and in the best interest of the institution. The chairman and members of the committee could raise money by way of donations, he said.
Even though the land near the govt polytechnic college, was purchased in 1978 at Rs 10,000 an acre (as against the basic value ranging from Rs 2 to 5 lakh per acre) from Sri Agasteeswara Swamy Devasthanam and it cannot be allowed to be sold by the committee. According to the petitioner, the land is worth Rs 10 crore an acre now and when the committee chairman is trying to liquidate major part of the assets of the college, it cannot be said that the petitioner has no locus standi.